As the year draws to a close, we look at the top five bowlers in cricket in 2012 in all three formats of the game.

As the year draws to a close, we look at the top five bowlers in cricket in 2012 in all three formats of the game.

Tests

Rangana Herath: The left-arm spinner from Sri Lanka featured in 10 Tests and picked up 60 wickets at an average of 23.61. These included seven five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket match hauls. His best figures in a match were 12/171 against England

Graeme Swann: The English off-spinner played 14 Tests and picked up 59 wickets at an average of 29.93 with three five-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket match haul. His best figures in a match were 10/181 against Sri Lanka.

James Anderson: The medium pacer from England picked up 48 wickets in 14 Tests at an average of 29.50. He had one five-wicket haul, his best figures in a match being 6/116 against the Indians.

Vernon Philander: The South African pacerplayed nine Tests and picked up 43 wickets at an average of 21.11 with three five-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket match haul. His best figures in a match were 10/114 against New Zealand.

Peter Siddle: The speedster from Australia featured in eight Tests and picked up 41 scalps in these games at an average of 23.09 with two five-wicket hauls. His best figures in a match were 9/104 against Sri Lanka.

ODIs

Lasith Malinga: Theslinger from Sri Lanka featured in 32 matches and picked up 47 wickets at an average of 32.08 with one five-wicket haul. His best figures were 5/54 versus South Africa.

Sunil Narine: The mystery spinner from West Indies grabbed 34 wickets in 17 matches with one five-wicket haul at an average of 17.64. His best were 5/27 against New Zealand.

Thisara Perera: In 23 games he picked up 32 wickets at an average of 26.84 with one five wicket haul. His best figures in an innings were 6/44 against Pakistan.

Saeed Ajmal: The Pakistan off-spinner grabbed 31 wickets in 17 matches at an average of 21.12 with one five-wicket haul. His best figures in a match were 5/43 against England.

Nuwan Kulasekara: The Sri Lankan pacer played 28 games and picked up 28 wickets at an average of 40.32. His best figures in an innings were 3/40 against the Indians.

T20s

Saeed Ajmal: The Pakistan off-spinner played 16 games and picked up 25 wickets at an average of 15.64. His best figures were 4/23 against England.

Umar Gul: The Pakistan paceman played 15 games and picked up 19 wickets at an average of 22.94. His best figures were 4/37 against India.

Graeme Swann: England’s premier off-spinner played 12 matches and grabbed 17 wickets average 14.70. His best figures were 3/13 against Pakistan.

Shane Watson: TheAussie all-rounder played 11 matches and picked up 17 wickets while averaging 15.82. His best figures were 3/26 against Ireland.

Steven Finn: TheEnglish paceman played 11 games and picked up 17 wickets while averaging 16.70. His best figures were 3/16 against the New Zealanders.